Liquid dispensing device



- 5. L. NALL 2,o29,s3.4

LIQUID DISPENSING DEVICE Filed July 2Q, 1933 INVENQZRM BY ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 4, 1936 ATENT OFFIQE 3 Claims.

The present invention relates to liquid dispensing funnels and has particular reference to funnels equippedwith opening elements which function to cut into and practically cut open all of the top end of sealed liquid containing receptacles while being moved downwardly over the receptacle as a step in bringing funnel and receptacle together for dispensing of the liquid.

An object of the invention is the provision of a receptacle opening device arranged inside of a liquid dispensing funnel having a receptacle chamber, which surrounds a sealed receptacle as the funnel is positioned thereover and moved downwardly to carry the opening device first against the top wall of the receptacle and then to cut open the receptacle wall at a plurality of points, certain parts of the cut wall being turned back to further enlarge the openings, all these things being done while the funnel is being positioned over the receptacle, the opening device then holding the receptacle in the funnel as the latter is reversed to funnel position to discharge the liquid contents of the receptacle through the funnel.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

' Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation partly broken away and'partly shown in section of a funnel containing a receptacle opening device, the view illustrating a sealed receptacle in alignment with the mouth of the funnel preparatory to bringing funnel and receptacle together into receptacle opening position;

- Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating the receptacle held by the cutter within the funnel and both in inverted position with the liquid contents of the receptacle discharging into and thence through the funnel and into a suitable place of deposit; and

Fig. 3 is a perspective view cutter.

The drawing discloses a preferred embodiment of the invention as it is adapted to dispensing lubricating oil, such as is used in automobiles and in such embodiment there are broadly three main elements. The first is a funnel A in which is located the second element, a cutter or opening device B, for cutting through a wall of a sealed liquid containing receptacle C, the third element. In Fig. 2 the funnel A is disclosed as of the opening discharging liquid into a suitable place of deposit D which may be the oil receiving neck of a crank case of an automobile.

The funnel A may comprise a cylindrical body I I connected by a tapered middle section l2 to a discharge spout l3 at its end. The body ll encloses a chamber in which the cutter B is located and in this chamber the receptacle C is also substantially enclosed for dispensing of its contents. A handle i4 is shown as being connected by a short strap l5 and a longer strap I6 to the funnel body and this provides a convenient means for holding it.

The cutter B may partake of any suitable form provided it quickly produces the necessary openings for the discharge of the oil. A form which has been found entirely satisfactory is shown in detail in Fig. 3. This same cutter is described in fullest detail in my pending application filed in the United States Patent Ofiice July 30, 1932, under Serial No. 626,565. Only its principal features will be noted in this instant description. I

This cutter comprises generally a frame or supporting band 26 having an outer diameter substantially less than the inner diameter of the fun- 5 nel body H and less than the outer diameter of the container C to be opened. Rectangular spacer blocks are secured to the outer wall of the band 24 and project slightly above the upper edge of the band when the cutter is in the position illus- 30 trated in Fig. 3.

The cutter B is rigidly held in the funnel chamber by screws 26 (Fig. 1) which pass through the funnel body and threadedly engage in screw holes 21 extending through both the spacer blocks 25 and through the band 24. In this held position of the cutter the spacer blocks 25 engage the inside wall of the funnel body I l and hold the band away a distance equal to the thickness of the spacer blocks. This allows for venting as will be more fully pointed out.

Three cutting knives or blades 28 constitute the initial cutting elements and these are radially arranged inside of the band 24. The upper outer edge of each blade is sharpened or beveled at 29 to provide a cutting edge and the three cutting edges terminate in an apex or piercing point 34. It is this point which first engages the end wall of the receptacle C when the funnel A is brought down over it.

Supporting web members 35 hold the blades 28 in place and are located inside of and are secured to the band 24. Each member 35 is bent back on itself to provide a double walled, outwardly tapered and radial deflecting part 36, the ends of 65 each member being formed in side wings 37 which are located in engagement with adjacent cutting blades 28. This construction provides a solid support for the blades.

Vent passages 38 (Fig. 3 pass vertically inside of the folded members 35 and alongside of the abutting edges of adjacent cutting blades 28 and these vents allow 'air" to pass into the receptacle C after the members 35 have been introduced through its cut end wall.

The cutter B is also provided with a series of relatively short triangular shaped puncturing elements or spears 2. to the band 26 in any suitable manner as by rivets 63. Each spear 42 is preferably located directly opposite each deflecting member 36.

Each spear 42 is bent along a central vertical line and presents two flared right angle wings J which are sharpened at the top into cutting edges 45 which terminate in a piercing point 46. A draining aperture d? is also cut in each side wing. The open end of the funnel is moved downwardly over the top end of the receptacle C as the first step in using the funnel. The apex 34 of the cutting blades 28 first comes into engagement with the top wall of the receptacle. The cutting blades 28 pierce through the top wall and .move downwardly into the receptacle as they cut radial slits in the top wall.

Further downward movement brings the adjacent end of the deflecting members 36 against the material of the top wall of the receptacle between these slits and the inclined ridges of the members 36 move into contact with the intervening uncut wall portions between the slits and press against and bend or curl the wall parts inwardly at 8 (Fig. 2) thereby enlarging the openings made by the cutting blades.

Still further downward movement next brings the points 46 of the spears 62 against and then through the cut wall of the receptacle and the side wings of the spears fold back or curl the adjacent wall parts at is (Fig. 2) enlarging the openings made by the members 52. This curling back of the metal at 48 and 49 opens a substantial area in the wall of the receptacle.

7 The funnel A is moved downwardly until the projecting ends of the spacer blocks 25strike against the upper edge or rim of the receptacle C. It cannot then be moved further over the recep tacle but in such position the receptacle wall is so impaled upon the cutting elements of the cutter B that it is held in this position.

This permits inverting of the funnel and the held receptacle into the dispensing position illustrated in Fig. 2 where the funnel spout i3 is inserted into the opening in the neck part D, from which position the contents of the receptacle C cascade and rapidly drain through the openings in itspunctured wall. During all of this dispensing' period the receptacle is supported in the funnel with its end against the spacer blocks 25. By the use of such an opening device B secured within a chamber within a funnel A it will be observed that it is only necessary to move the funnel downwardly over the receptacle to eifect complete opening of the latter and thence by using the funnel in the regular way; with its contained receptacle in place, the liquid content These spears are secured.

rapidly flows through the cut openings, air passing upwardly through the vent channels 38 in the cutter and around the wall of the receptacle and through the openings cut in the receptacle wall. The uncut wall parts having been bent back and out of the way there is'an unrestricted passage for the liquid.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, andit will be apparent that Various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim: 7

'1'. A liquid dispensing device, comprising in combination, a dispensing funnel adapted to move downwardly over and substantially enclose a sealed receptacle containing a liquid to 'bejdis-- pensed, and a cutter secured inside of said funnel and having cutting elements for cuttingopen the top end wall of the receptacle when said cutter and its funnel are forced down into and over said receptacle, said cutting elements tapering in: wardly and upwardly from the side wall of said funnel into a common piercing apex disposed substantially centrally of the funnel. the liquid contents of said receptacle flowing through the open ing so formed and into the said funnel when the latter is inverted. V p

2. A liquid dispensing device, comprising in combination, a dispensing funnel adapted to move downwardly over and hold a sealed receptacle containing a liquid to be dispensed and also adapted to receive said liquid from said receptacle after the latter has been opened and both receptacle and funnel have been inverted, and a cutter secured inside of said funnel and having aplurality of cutting elements for cutting into the top end wall of said receptacle during the movement of said funnel thereover, some of said cutting elements having air vents for introducing air into said opened receptacle to assist in; the discharge of said liquid from the receptacle into said funnel.

3. A liquid dispensing device, comprising,

wall and outwardly inclined deflecting means arranged between said cutting elements for enlarg ing and clearing the openings formed by the lat- .ter so that unrestricted'dispensing takesplace when receptacle and funnel are inverted and while said liquid is flowing through said funnel.

ELMER 7L. Q

. c 6Q ting elements are forced down into said receptacle 

